The Peabody Institute of The Johns Hopkins University

Ensembles currently managed by the Ensemble Office include the Peabody Symphony Orchestra, Peabody Concert Orchestra, Peabody Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds, Peabody-Hopkins Chorus, Peabody Singers, Peabody Jazz Orchestra, Conductors Orchestra, and the Peabody Camerata. Peabody's ensembles are designed to acquaint the entire student body, as well as the participating students and the general public, with the rich and varied literature of many musical genres. They provide participants with the means, through rigorous rehearsals and frequent public performances, of developing their musical skills to a high level of artistic competence, and also represent a considerable and significant portion of Peabody's contribution to the cultural life of the surrounding community.

The Ensemble Office does not manage the Conservatory's early music ensembles, which include the Peabody Renaissance Ensemble, directed by Mark Cudek, and the Baltimore Baroque Band, directed by John Moran; nor does it currently manage the newest jazz studies ensemble, the Peabody Improvisation & Multimedia Ensemble, directed by Gary Thomas. Questions regarding those ensembles should be referred to their individual directors. Questions regarding the chamber music program should be directed to Michael Kannen.

The stage manager ensures that the various stages, halls, and other locations used for large ensemble rehearsals and performances are prepared for use. He also works with the Concert Office to coordinate set-ups for degree recitals, master classes, lectures, and competitions. The stage manager hires and supervises the student stage crew and coordinates crew assignments for the various events and rehearsals.

For degree recitals, the stage manager relies on stage set-up forms to guide the allocation of personnel and equipment. Failure to submit a stage set-up form at least three weeks prior to a recital will result in no set-up or stage crew coverage. Forms are available outside of the stage manager's office (P20C) or may be submitted online at www.peabody.jhu.edu/stagesetupform.

Stage crew coverage for Friedberg Hall recitals is mandatory. The stage manager determines the size of crew coverage on a per event basis, dependent upon each event's individual needs and complexities.

The stage manager and/or crew do not provide set-ups for recital rehearsals, nondegree recitals, studio recitals, or classes, etc, due to the number of events for which he is responsible. If Peabody stands or other equipment are required for those events, it is the student's responsibility to make advance arrangements for equipment access, do the set-ups themselves, and return the halls to their original state afterwards. If, after use, a hall is not struck and returned to its performance condition and all equipment returned to its proper place, a $50.00 fee will be levied.

Student instrumentalists are required to own a folding portable music stand for practicing and small rehearsals.

Because the stage manager's job often involves responsibilities in several locations simultaneously, he is often away from his office. For personal consultation, the stage manager's office is located in room P20C in the undercroft below the Friedberg Concert Hall stage. He can be reached by phone at 410-234-4512.

The Ensemble Office staff works many evening and weekend events. Because of this, the office operates on a flex-time schedule and sometimes is open earlier and/or later than its usual 10:00 am-6:00 pm schedule. If the office is closed when you stop by, you may leave a message at 410-234-4510.

Participation in instrumental or vocal ensembles is a major feature of degree and diploma study at Peabody, providing an experience that is essential to one's professional training. Please consult the Academic Catalog for the specific ensemble requirements of your degree program. These ensemble requirements must be met during the specific semesters outlined in the Catalog. Students wishing to take ensembles at times other than those specified should petition the director of ensemble operations for permission to do so. Permission will generally only be granted in situations where irresolvable schedule conflicts prevent a student from taking a large ensemble during the specified semester.

All string, woodwind, brass, and percussion students are assigned to a specific large ensemble based on the results of the fall placement auditions. Once students have been assigned to a specific ensemble, they are free to re-audition for a seating change within that ensemble only. Requests to reaudition are made through the Ensemble Office and should not be made during the first two weeks of classes. To be considered for a seating change, any re-audition must happen prior to seating assignments being made for the next program.

Parts assignments for each concert are determined by the conductor of each ensemble and communicated to the Ensemble Office staff, who prepare the parts for distribution to the players. At the beginning of the school term, each player is provided with a folder containing their parts for the first concert, and a schedule for their assigned ensemble's rehearsals for the entire season. Parts for subsequent concerts are available from the Ensemble Office when the seatings are posted on the ensemble bulletin boards.

In order that the school's large ensembles be able to produce music of the highest possible caliber and to ensure that the ensemble members receive the training and discipline necessary to prepare them for careers as professional musicians, students will be expected to adhere to the following requirements:

1. Be at rehearsals, in place, warmed up, and ready to play at exactly the time for which the ensemble is scheduled. Choral ensemble rehearsals will generally begin with a warm-up.

2. Come to each rehearsal well prepared; no rehearsal should ever be sight-read. Students should pick up their music in advance of the first rehearsal for each concert and are expected to take their parts home to practice between rehearsals. Students who repeatedly leave their music behind following rehearsals will be seen as exhibiting a lack of commitment to the ensemble, which will be reflected in their grades. It is also expected that students who are unfamiliar with a work which is being performed will take advantage of the recordings which are kept on the ensemble reserve shelf of the Friedheim Library.

3. Be responsible for music and folders. Students are expected to return all of their music at the end of each concert and will be billed for the full replacement cost of any music not returned within three days following the end of a concert. Failure to comply with this policy may influence a student’s grade in the category of cooperation and professionalism. All students are expected to return their folders at the end of the school year.

4. Arrive at the check-in table, in concert dress, by no later than the call time posted for each concert. All students who are involved in a concert are expected to arrive by the posted call time or they will be marked late, regardless of whether or not they play in the first piece on the program. No student will be considered checked-in until they are in concert dress. Every student must check in at the attendance table upon arrival for a concert.

5. Adhere to the official dress policy for performances as set forth below.

6. A non-Conservatory student taking private lessons with a Conservatory teacher may participate in a large ensemble or chamber music group as the guest of the ensemble at the invitation of the conductor or coach, if he/she passes the necessary audition for placement. No record of the student’s participation is maintained by the Registrar’s Office, and no tuition is charged. It is understood that ensemble guests participate in ensembles on a space-available/as-needed basis.